The Foundation awards grants to community-based, IRS-qualified nonprofit organizations in the United States for which a relatively small amount of money might make a large difference.
Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Inc. often makes relatively small grants that can have an immediate effect on local programs, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 and a typical grant size of $8,000. Its recent grants show a broad public-service orientation: arts organizations, schools, hospitals, conservation groups, animal welfare providers, and community nonprofits all appear in the portfolio. The foundation also gives to individual-facing services, including support for people with disabilities, seniors, and low-income families. Several grants illustrate that mix. Theatre Washington received $30,000 for general operating support, while The News Literacy Project Inc. received $25,000 to underwrite its Checkology virtual classroom digital learning platform for educators and students. Elsewhere in the recent grants list, the foundation supported Reef Check Foundation for kelp forest restoration in California and Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern Ky for pet support services and a mobile pet pantry. The presence of both cultural institutions and direct-service organizations suggests a grantmaker that funds practical, program-level work rather than a narrow theme.
Arts and cultural organizations appear regularly in the recent grants list. Theatre Washington received $30,000 for general operating support, and The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School Inc. received $20,000 for general operating support. The foundation also supported Asheville Symphony Society Inc. with $20,000 for general program support. Education is another clear area of support. The News Literacy Project Inc. received $25,000 to keep its Checkology virtual classroom digital learning platform free for educators and students, while Mil Milagros Inc. received $20,000 for early childhood development. Red Cloud Indian School Inc. also received $20,000 for general operating support. Health-related grants include $20,000 to Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation for Club Memory dementia navigator and $20,000 to Chase Brexton Health Services Inc. for medical translation services for low-income populations. In the environment and wildlife category, the foundation gave $20,000 to Reef Check Foundation for kelp forest restoration in California and $20,000 to The Santa Monica Mountains Parklands Association for The Monarch and Milkweed Project.
$0
$63.5M
$4.8M
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$10K
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The foundation’s typical grant size is $8,000, with the middle half of awards falling between $5,000 and $10,000. Its active grant programs all allow unsolicited applications and are set at $1,000 to $20,000, which matches the pattern of modest awards for community-based work. The recent grants list includes many repeat-size awards at $20,000, alongside a few larger grants such as $30,000 and $25,000. That points to a relatively even, standard-grant approach rather than large, highly concentrated bets. The grantmaker is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it also funds individuals. The available records show U.S.-only giving and a 2025 latest 990 year on file.
Grantmaking is national, with all recent grants going to U.S. recipients. The top state by grant count is Florida, while 20% of grants go to recipients in Washington, DC. Recent awards also landed in Ohio, California, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Connecticut, South Dakota, and New Jersey. Within the recent grants list, Washington, DC appears repeatedly through Theatre Washington, Gala Inc., Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Other frequent recipient cities include Williamsburg, VA; Berkeley and Marina del Rey, CA; and Baltimore and Kensington, MD.
It funds IRS-qualified nonprofit organizations in the United States, including museums, cultural and performing arts groups, schools, hospitals, youth and skills-training programs, seniors’ services, disability services, environmental and wildlife work, and community-based projects where a relatively small amount can make a difference.
The typical grant size is $8,000, with a grant-size middle range from $5,000 at the 25th percentile to $10,000 at the 75th percentile. Its active programs also list awards from $1,000 to $20,000.
Yes. The active grant programs shown all accept unsolicited applications, including the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant Program, General Grants (Spring & Fall Award Rounds), and the General Grant Program.
Recent grants cover arts and culture, education, health and hospitals, environment and wildlife, animal welfare, youth services, and community development. Examples include support for theatre, digital learning, wetland and kelp restoration, dementia services, medical translation, and pet support services.
No. The foundation’s scope is national, and the recent grants list shows recipients across the United States. The top state by grant count is Florida, and 20% of grants go to recipients in Washington, DC.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: IRS-qualified nonprofit organizations located within the United States. The foundation cannot make grants to individuals.
Deadline: Requests submitted between now and November 10th, 2026 will be considered for the Spring 2027 Award Round.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THEATRE WASHINGTON | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE NEWS LITERACY PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL UNDERWRITING TO KEEP NLPS SIGNATURE OFFERING, THE CHECKOLOGY VIRTUAL CLASSROOM DIGITAL LEARNING PLATFORM, FREE AND AVAILABLE TO EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS DURING THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR. |
| SANDY HOOK PROMISE FOUNDATION INC | NEWTOWN, CT | $20,000 | 2023 | KNOW THE SIGNS PREVENTION PROGRAMS |
| THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS PARKLANDS ASSOCIATION | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | THE MONARCH AND MILKWEED PROJECT |
| BEAVER CREEK WETLANDS ASSOCIATION INC | ALPHA, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | WETLANDS RESTORATION |
| CHASE BREXTON HEALTH SERVICES INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $20,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS |
| ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2023 | CLUB MEMORY DEMENTIA NAVIGATOR |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | RESTORATION OF THE POWDER MAGAZINE (PHASE ONE) |
| FABSCRAP INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL | ATTAPULGUS, GA | $20,000 | 2023 | CAMERA SYSTEM |
| WILLIAM & MARY FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | WILLIAM & MARY'S CONSERVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM |
| MIL MILAGROS INC | SOMERVILLE, MA | $20,000 | 2023 | EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT |
| GALA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BERKELEY-EAST BAY HUMANE SOCIETY | BERKELEY, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | PAWS SAFETY NET SERVICES AND HOPE MEDICAL FUND |
| A WIDER CIRCLE | KENSINGTON, MD | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL INC | SARASOTA, FL | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REEF CHECK FOUNDATION | MARINA DEL REY, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | KELP FOREST RESTORATION IN CALIFORNIA |
| MEALS ON WHEELS SOUTHWEST OH & NORTHERN KY | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | PET SUPPORT SERVICES & MOBILE PET PANTRY |
| BEATS RHYMES AND LIFE | OAKLAND, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | HIP HOP THERAPY MOBILE STUDIO BUS PROGRAM |
| WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAVE A CHILD'S HEART US | POTOMAC, MD | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ADVANCEMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2023 | UPPER GEORGIA AVENUE MAIN STREET COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY |
| RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL INC | PINE RIDGE, SD | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WASHINGTON | WASHINGTON, DC | $18,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - FULL STUDENT SPONSORSHIP |
| ACACIA MEDICAL MISSION A MINISTRY OF THE RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY | BULVERDE, TX | $17,500 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION INC | PLYMOUTH, MA | $17,100 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2023 | HELP OUT, PARTNER, AND ENGAGE PROGRAM IN DC AND NJ |
| NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM AT STOCKBRIDGE MA | STOCKBRIDGE, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE EXHIBITION, HILARY KNIGHT: FOREVER SIX |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE SAN BERNARDINO | SAN BERNARDINO, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | DENTAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WELLSPRING COMMUNITY | CASTLE ROCK, CO | $15,000 | 2023 | CASTLE ROCK COLLECTIVE SKILLS TRAINING |
| NORTHWEST MARITIME CENTER | TOWNSEND, WA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR SALISH SEA EXPEDITIONS |
| MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY | EDGECOMB, ME | $15,000 | 2023 | PERKINS PROPERTY PURCHASE |
| IVYMOUNT SCHOOL INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $15,000 | 2023 | IVYMOUNT TRANSITIONS PROGRAM |
| ALASKA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2023 | COOK INLET BELUGA PROGRAM |
| TRANSITIONS | SPOKANE, WA | $15,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT: TRAUMA-INFORMED JOB TRAINING FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN |
| CHATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC | CHATHAM, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CANINE PARTNERS OF THE ROCKIES | AURORA, CO | $15,000 | 2023 | MOBILITY ASSISTANCE DOGS |
| JERICHO ROAD EPISCOPAL HOUSING | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS WITH HIV |
| ABINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ABINGTON, PA | $15,000 | 2023 | MULLER INSTITUTE FOR SENIOR HEALTH |
| CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $15,000 | 2023 | SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE PROJECT |
| EAGLE ROCK COMMUNITY CULTURAL ASSOCIATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | LET'S MAKE A SHOW IN ASL! |
| CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | LINCOLN, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | ATLANTIC HORSESHOE CRAB PROJECT |
| SHAKESPEARE THEATRE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2023 | SHAKESPEARE FOR SCHOOLS |
| THE CHATHAM ORPHEUM THEATER INC | CHATHAM, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMPERSAND FAMILIES | ROSEVILLE, MN | $14,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $14,000 | 2023 | HEALTHY TOGETHER MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP |
| ORAM - ORGANIZATION FOR REFUGE ASYLUM AND MIGRATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $13,000 | 2023 | ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS |
THEATRE WASHINGTON
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE NEWS LITERACY PROJECT INC
$25,000TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL UNDERWRITING TO KEEP NLPS SIGNATURE OFFERING, THE CHECKOLOGY VIRTUAL CLASSROOM DIGITAL LEARNING PLATFORM, FREE AND AVAILABLE TO EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS DURING THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS PARKLANDS ASSOCIATION
$20,000THE MONARCH AND MILKWEED PROJECT
BEAVER CREEK WETLANDS ASSOCIATION INC
$20,000WETLANDS RESTORATION
SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS
ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC
$20,000GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
RESTORATION OF THE POWDER MAGAZINE (PHASE ONE)
FABSCRAP INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WILLIAM & MARY FOUNDATION
$20,000WILLIAM & MARY'S CONSERVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM
MIL MILAGROS INC
$20,000EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
GALA INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PAWS SAFETY NET SERVICES AND HOPE MEDICAL FUND
THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REEF CHECK FOUNDATION
$20,000KELP FOREST RESTORATION IN CALIFORNIA
MEALS ON WHEELS SOUTHWEST OH & NORTHERN KY
$20,000PET SUPPORT SERVICES & MOBILE PET PANTRY
BEATS RHYMES AND LIFE
$20,000HIP HOP THERAPY MOBILE STUDIO BUS PROGRAM
WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAVE A CHILD'S HEART US
$20,000GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
UPPER GEORGIA AVENUE MAIN STREET COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
$18,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - FULL STUDENT SPONSORSHIP
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION INC
$17,100GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
$15,000HELP OUT, PARTNER, AND ENGAGE PROGRAM IN DC AND NJ
NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM AT STOCKBRIDGE MA
$15,000SUPPORT OF THE EXHIBITION, HILARY KNIGHT: FOREVER SIX
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE SAN BERNARDINO
$15,000DENTAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
IVYMOUNT SCHOOL INC
$15,000IVYMOUNT TRANSITIONS PROGRAM
ALASKA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE
$15,000COOK INLET BELUGA PROGRAM
CHATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CANINE PARTNERS OF THE ROCKIES
$15,000MOBILITY ASSISTANCE DOGS
JERICHO ROAD EPISCOPAL HOUSING
$15,000GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS WITH HIV
ABINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$15,000MULLER INSTITUTE FOR SENIOR HEALTH
EAGLE ROCK COMMUNITY CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
$15,000LET'S MAKE A SHOW IN ASL!
CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT INC
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
$15,000SHAKESPEARE FOR SCHOOLS
THE CHATHAM ORPHEUM THEATER INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HEALTHY TOGETHER MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS